Best Practices Database
UN-HABITAT‟s Best Practices database shows that there are many excellent examples of how life in cities, towns and villages can be improved. This searchable database can be accessed from UNHABITAT‟s website www.unhabitat.org (under programmes) or at www.bestpractices.org. Once within the website, journalists should link to the „DATABASE SEARCH‟ and when asked for the access code, they should type in „gen25‟. The Best Practices database contains over 1100 proven solutions to the common social, economic and environmental problems of an urbanizing world. Case studies from more than 120 countries demonstrate practical ways in which communities, Governments and the private sector are working together to improve governance, eradicate poverty, provide access to shelter, land and basic services, protect the environment and support economic development. The following 10-award-winning initiatives were selected by an independent International Jury for the 2002 Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment:
Humanitarian News Agency, ARGENTINA - a network focusing on mainstreaming community concerns and the concerns of socially excluded and disadvantaged citizens through the press and television, resulting in numerous follow-up actions by volunteers in such areas as HIV/Aids, the homeless, missing children and youth at risk. Programme d’Assainissement et Protection de l’Environnement, BENIN – a community-led partnership between neighbourhood associations, the private and public sectors to improve the living environment and to create jobs and micro-enterprises through the collection and recycling of garbage, resulting not only in new job opportunities, improved health and living conditions but also in the establishment of micro-credit of micro-enterprises, especially for poor urban women. Gender and Citizenship Programme, Santo Andre, BRAZIL – an integrated and interdepartmental approach to mainstreaming gender equality and social inclusion in the delivery and harmonisation of municipal services resulting in improved health and nutrition, better job and income-generating opportunities through training, access to credit as well as greater participation in decision making by the urban poor and especially by women. Liveable Region Strategic Plan for Greater Vancouver, CANADA – a common vision and strategy forged and shared by 21 previously competing municipal jurisdictions of the Greater Vancouver region resulting in the protection of green zones, the building of more complete communities, the limiting of urban sprawl and increased choices in transport and mobility in support of more sustainable urbanisation. Action Plan for Sustainable Guangzhou (Canton), CHINA - a strategic approach to meet the twin objectives of improving quality of life and enhancing the economic competitiveness of a large and formerly congested city through the construction of an integrated urban transport and traffic management system and urban greening, resulting in urban renovation, new and better housing conditions, a doubling of per capita green space and a substantial reduction of traffic jams, congestion and air pollution.
Relocation of backyard tenants, NAMIBIA – attracted by a rapidly developing fishing industry in Walvis Bay, more and more rural migrants “squatted” in informal settlements causing major problems to health, sanitation and congestion. A concerted approach involving changes in policies, laws and by-laws has enabled these squatters to formally develop self-help housing solutions with the benefit of basic urban infrastructure and services. Women’s contribution in sustainable rural development, LEBANON – a network of grassroots women‟s groups living in the Bekaa Valley, impoverished by 20 years of conflict, designed to empower poor rural women through training, education and awareness building resulting in improved capacity by the poor rural women in such areas as food production and nutrition, child care and education, non-farming jobs and economic opportunity, including the export of handicrafts. Mother Centre International Network, GERMANY/INTERNATIONAL – starting with a Munich-based grassroots mother‟s centre to strengthen the role, contribution and capacity of civil society to revitalise local neighbourhoods and revive community life, this growing network of support and solidarity is now operating in cities in the Czech and Slovak republics, Bulgaria, Russia, Georgia, Bosnia Herzegowina and Africa and North America resulting in the training and re-entry of poor urban women in job markets, the creation of women-owned enterprises and the gaining of effective voices by women in decisions affecting their livelihoods. Area-based assessment of property tax in Patna, INDIA – a simple yet effective approach to solving a long-standing problem shared by many municipalities of managing an inequitable and non-performing property tax collection system based on simplified assessment of property values by zones sharing similar social-economic characteristics and property values. Results include vastly reduced tax rates, substantial buy-in by property owners and an increase in collection of property taxes from US$315,000 to US$ 1.34 million per annum, thus improving the capacity of the local authority to deliver services. Protection and rehabilitation of the heritage site of Santiago de Compostela, SPAIN – an environmentally-sound and socially inclusive approach to preserving the cultural environment of a historical city by combining training and local job creation, facilitating access to affordable housing and using low-energy building materials and renovation techniques resulting in the preservation of architectural heritage, urban greening and pedestrianisation while avoiding the ubiquitous problem of gentrification.
For further information, please contact1: Mr. Sharad Shankardass, Spokesperson or Ms. Zahra Hassan, Press & Media Liaison, Press & Media Relations Unit, Tel: (254 2) 623153/623151, Fax: (254 2) 624060, E-mail:habitat.press@unhabitat.org, Website: www.unhabitat.org
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